Exchange USD at airport or withdraw from ATM in North Macedonia?

Best plan in Myanmar is to exchange a little for taxis at the airport, then use ATMs from KBZ or CB Bank in cities. Budget MMK 30,000-50,000 daily depending on how much sightseeing you do. Withdraw in larger amounts to minimize bank fees and avoid “dynamic currency conversion” prompts - always choose kyat. Carry backup USD cash in case ATMs are offline. Airport counters are convenient but overpriced compared to ATMs.

The exchange counter at Yangon Airport was a letdown. I converted $100 and later realized I’d lost enough kyat to cover two dinners and a day trip to Bagan. Myanmar is still affordable, but wasting money at the start of a trip is frustrating when you’re budgeting MMK 35,000 daily. ATMs from CB Bank or AYA Bank gave me a much stronger rate. Don’t rely on airport desks unless you really have no choice.

I landed in Yangon and swapped $20 at the airport for my cab. The rate wasn’t great. Later, I withdrew kyat from a KBZ ATM downtown and got much more for the same dollars. Meals were about MMK 7,000, and Shwedagon Pagoda entry was MMK 10,000, so every little saving helped stretch my MMK 40,000 daily budget. The airport desk worked for emergencies, but ATMs clearly gave better value for the trip.

In Myanmar, ATMs usually give better rates than airport exchange counters. Yangon and Mandalay airports have kiosks that are convenient but often take big margins. ATMs from KBZ, AYA Bank, or CB Bank offer fair kyat conversion, though sometimes machines can run out of cash. If you’re budgeting MMK 35,000-50,000 daily for meals, taxis, and pagoda entries, withdrawing from ATMs is more cost-effective. Exchange just a small amount at the airport for your first taxi or snack, then use city ATMs for the rest.